E420k new waiting room to bring hope for renal patients at Mbabane Government Hospital
By Lwazi Dlamini
The Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula is elated with the official opening of a new waiting room for renal patients at Mbabane Government Hospital.
The new facility which will renal patients receive much better care, dignity and comfort was opened on Friday.
Valued at E420 000, the modernized facility, marks a significant step in improving patient welfare and the overall hospital experience.
The new waiting room features comfortable seating, clean bathrooms, a kitchen area and two smart televisions which indicates a major upgrade from the previous arrangement where patients were forced to wait along the hospital corridor, often during Mbabane’s cold nights.
During the official opening of the new facility,
Minister Mduduzi Matsebula said the initiative was driven by compassion and a deep awareness of the challenges faced by renal patients.
“This project was born from real stories that reached us through the media and during hospital visits. It was heartbreaking to see patients sitting in the passages late at night in this cold weather.
We had to act and today we can proudly say that we have delivered,” Matsebula said.
Matsebula thanked Microprojects Programme, which completed the construction in record time and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) for donating the two smart TVs that now enhance the patient experience.
“We are working to bring essential services closer to the people. New medical equipment has been purchased and will soon be distributed to facilities in all four regions, we have also employed more doctors and nurses to strengthen dialysis services at Mbabane Government Hospital, Hlathikhulu and Manzini Nazarene,” the Minister said.
Matsebula then highlighted a remarkable progress in medicine availability, stating that stock levels had improved dramatically.
“We have moved from 30% two years ago to 80% today. Government is doing its best to pay suppliers on time and as a ministry, we remain dedicated to making the health sector a better place for everyone,” he said.
He added: “But we have not yet reached a level where we will be proud and where emaSwati will accept that the situation is now better. We will continue to work hard until the drug situation improves,”
Matsebula emphasised the importance of building a resilient health system that can recover quickly from shocks.
On the employment of additional medical personnel for departments such as renal health, Matsebula acknowledged government’s efforts to assist the ministry, although the pace has sometimes been slow due to financial constraints. He said the ministry would continue its efforts to procure medical equipment for hospitals across the country.
Previously, renal patients had to queue for dialysis at either the Mbabane Government Hospital and Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini.
“We have purchased some of the equipment such as the computed tomography (CT) scan. There was only one for the entire country but that has changed as more will be installed in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions. People must get help close to where they live,” the Minister stated.
The Minister also mentioned that the ministry had expanded its fleet, now estimated at about 90 vehicles, including ambulances. Matsebula expressed confidence that customer care in state health centres would also show signs of improvement.
Chairman of the Renal Association Muzi Nhlabatsi expressed appreciation for the two new waiting facilities, which are equipped with two smart TVs and a comfortable seating areas to keep patients warn and relaxed.
